Home · 2012 Toyota Prius V · Complaints

What 612 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota Prius V

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (612)Crash / fire / injury (71)Brakes (303)Electrical system (73)Engine (66)Lights (39)Airbags (35)Visibility & wipers (33)Transmission & drivetrain (28)Body & structure (27)Speed control (27)Steering (24)

Newest first · 612 complaints · page 19 of 25

Dec 14, 2015AirbagsCrash1 injury

WIFE IN ACCIDENT WITH SIDE IMPACT AND FRONT IMPACT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH RAN OFF OF A ROAD WITH NO SHOULDER SIDE IMPACT WITH OAK TREE THEN FRONT IMPACT WITH ANOTHER OAK TREE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE TOTALED. EMT AND CHP COMMENTED THAT UNUSUAL THAT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS AMAZED AS WELL!....UPDATED 12/30/15 *BF; UPDATED 05/11/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ODI 10810066

Dec 12, 2015Visibility & wipers

WIND SHIELD WIPER SWITCH QUIT WORKING AT 62,500 MILE.THE WIND SHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS NOW MAKING GRINDING NOISES AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED(74,000 MILES). BOTH PARTS BROKE WHEN WE WERE TRAVELING OUT OF STATE,DURING RAIN STORMS.

NHTSA ODI 10809808

Nov 25, 2015

MY PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR JUST COMPLETELY FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT HAS RARELY BEEN USED (MY CAR IS A 2012 WITH HIGH MILES AND MOST OF THE TIME I TRAVEL ALONE). THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED A DISTRACTION OR CRASH. I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT OTHER TOYOTA MODELS / YEARS.

NHTSA ODI 10806773

Oct 1, 2015Speed controlBrakesCrash2 injuries

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED. THE CONTACT APPLIED EXTREME FORCE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE TURNED RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO A TRASH DUMPSTER. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER'S COLLISION CENTER WHO REPAIRED THE BODY DAMAGES AND WAS TO SEND A THIRD PARTY TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE THE REMEDY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI 10779130

Sep 30, 2015Seat beltsSeatsCrash2 injuries

MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A TWO CAR CRASH WHEN A CAR COMING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION MADE AN ILLEGAL LEFT TURN DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF HER. IT HAPPENED SO QUICK THAT SHE NEVER HAD TIME TO HIT HER BRAKES. SHE WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 30 AND 35 MPH IN A 35 MPH ZONE ON A TWO LANE ROAD. I WOULD THINK THAT AT THAT SPEED IF ALL HER SAFETY EQUIPMENT WORKED SHE WOULD NOT SUFFER ANY INJURIES. HER SEAT BELT FAILED CAUSING THE SEAT LATCH TO FAIL AND SHE ENDED UP JAMMED INTO THE BOTTOM AND UNDER SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. SHE SUFFERED A BLOW TO HER CHEST AND INJURIES TO HER KNEES, LOWER LEGS AND FOOT. SHE HAD SURGERY ON HER RIGHT KNEE SO WE COULD GET HER ON HER FEET AGAIN AND IS AWAITING SURGERY ON HER RIGHT SHOULDER. SHE HAD A PRE EXISTING HEART CONDITION THAT WAS RAISED TO EMERGENCY STATUS AFTER THE BLOW TO HER CHEST AND SHE HAD SURGERY FOR THAT AND THEY FOUND A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF HER HEART AND ZAPPED IT. THERE IS ONLY A 2% CHANCE IT WILL EVER RETURN. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE FAILED SEAT BELT AND SEAT. THE SEAT BELT IS IN THE FULLY EXTENDED POSITION AND LOCKED AND CAN NOT BE RELEASED EVEN BY YANKING ON IT. I AM WRITING THIS REPORT SO THIS SITUATION CAN BE CHECKED AND IF FOUND FAULTY CAN BE CORRECTED BEFORE ANY ONE ELSE GOES THROUGH WHAT MY WIFE IS GOING THROUGH.

NHTSA ODI 10778889

Sep 23, 2015Engine

STARTING IN SPRING 2013 AND CONTINUING DURING THE REST OF THE SPRING, SUMMER AND EARLY FALL IN THE HOTTEST MONTHS, AFTER PARKING MY PRIUS C OUTSIDE, IT ALWAYS HAD ISSUES STARTING, WHICH CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. I WILL PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, START THE CAR, ALL THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON AND THE CAR WILL USUALLY NOT ALLOW ME TO PUT IT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. I HAVE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND START IT AGAIN AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE IT STARTS NORMALLY AS IT DOES WHEN THE WEATHER IS COOLER AND/OR WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. A COUPLE OF TIMES, I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TO GO INTO REVERSE, BUT IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AS IF THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ON. THEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED, LEAVING ME IN THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CAN'T FIX IT UNLESS THEY CAN RECREATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN PICTURES AND VISEO, BUT THAT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE TO THEM. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I HAVE FILED RE: THIS MATTER AS MY FIRST DOES NOT SEEM TO APPEAR HERE.

NHTSA ODI 10775337

Sep 6, 2015Airbags

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH SOMETHING 'METAL' IS SLIDING AROUND INSIDE THE PANEL OF THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER 3 OR 4 TIMES AND THEY CANNOT VERIFY IT. WHEN I WENT OUT WITH A TECH, ONCE, ALTHOUGH IT HAD MADE THE SOUND AS I TURNED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, IT WOULDN'T DUPLICATE WITH THE TECHNICIAN. THEY WOULDN'T TAKE OFF THE PANEL TO INVESTIGATE. GIVEN THE PROBLEM WITH AIRBAGS THIS MAKES ME VERY NERVOUS AND I HOPE THAT I AM NEVER IN A CRASH.

NHTSA ODI 10761879

Aug 19, 2015Electrical system

THE NAVIGATION, BLUETOOTH & RADIO SYSTEM WAS TURNED OFF ON IT OWN AND BECAME CORRUPTED WHEN THE CAR DEALERSHIP TRIED TO UPDATE THE SYSTEMS SOFTWARE. THE HARDWARE WAS THEN RENDERED INOPERABLE AND THE SYSTEMS COMPUTER WAS THEN REPLACED, THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE DEFECTS IN THE SYSTEM. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR EXCEEDED $1000US. DUE TO THE DEALERSHIPS ACTIONS IN TRYING TO RUN A SOFTWARE UPDATE, THE REPAIR COSTS WERE PAID BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM SEEMED TO BE KNOWN BY THE CAR DEALER. TOYOTA WAS NEVER DIRECTLY CONTACTED BY CAR OWNER AS ONLY THE CAR DEALER HANDLED THE REPAIR ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI 10749744

Aug 18, 2015BrakesCrash

VEHICLE HAD LITTLE OR NO BRAKING POWER IN A PANIC STOP SITUATION. THIS WAS LIKELY CAUSE BY A DELAY SWITCHING FROM REGENERATIVE BRAKING TO MECHANICAL BRAKES.

NHTSA ODI 10749388

Jul 14, 2015AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO FULLY INFLATE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DEEMED THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

NHTSA ODI 10733946

Jul 13, 2015Electrical system

OVER THE LAST NINE MONTHS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BULBS IN MY 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS 6 TIMES. WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER THEY STATED THAT IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS NOT USING TOYOTA CERTIFIED BULB AND I PAID OVER $150 TO HAVE THEM INSPECT THE HEADLIGHTS AND REPLACE THE BULBS. AFTER I HAD THE CERTIFIED BULBS INSTALLED, A BULB WENT OUT AGAIN. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED NEW WIRING FOR A COST IN EXCESS OF $250.00. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT TSB-0204-12 WAS ISSUED FOR FOR 2010-11 PRIUS FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THAT THE 2012 PRIUS HAVE THE EXACT SAME WIRING HARNESS, BUT THAT TOYOTA WAS NOT GOING TO FIX THAT PROBLEM FOR TEH 2012 MODELS AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO ABSORB THE COST MYSELF.

NHTSA ODI 10733546

Jun 23, 2015Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V053000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. ...UPDATED 07/30/15 *BF UPDATED 9/23/15 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10726974

Jun 22, 2015Seats

I AM 5'3". THE HEADREST OF MY CAR IS DESIGNED TO ANGLE FORWARD AT THE TOP. THIS PUSHED MY HEAD DOWN AT A 15* ANGLE. IT IS PAINFUL TO DRIVE. I WILL HAVE TOREMOVE THE HEADREST COMPLETELY, LOSING ANY PROTECTION IN ANY ACCIDENT AND LOSING THE SUPPORT IT SHOUD GIVE MY HEAD NOW. I UNDERSTAND THIS DESIGN IS MANDATED BY YOUR AGENCY AND THAT ALL PEOPLE IN THE 5'0" TO 5'4" HEIGHT RANGE EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. SINCE THE AVERAGE HEIGHT FOR AMERICAN WOMEN IS 5'5" YOUR REGULATION DISCOMFORTS AND/OR ENDANGERS HALF OF THE WOMEN IN THE COUNTRY. CHANGE THE REGULATION. ALLOW, OR REQUIRE, HEADRESTS THAT CAN SWIVEL TO CHANGE THE ANGLE OF ALIGNMENT.

NHTSA ODI 10726702

Jun 11, 2015Hybrid Propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V. WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND CAME TO A SLOW STOP. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF NEUTRAL AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE INVERTER FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH TOYOTA'S HYBRID VEHICLES, BUT COULD ONLY REPLACE IT WITH THE SAME MODEL INVERTER THAT WOULD FAIL AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT CONFIRM WHAT THE DEALER STATED ABOUT THIS BEING A KNOWN ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,634. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. MA 07/30/15 UPDATED 10/19/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI 10724729

May 21, 2015Fuel system

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A HILL. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I STEPPED ON THE GAS WITH NO RESPONSE. THE CAR SLID BACK AND I BRAKED. THE PANEL LIGHT AFFIRMED THAT THE CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN DRIVE. YET THERE WAS NO RESPONSE AT ALL. THE CAR SEEMED TO BE IN NEUTRAL. I PUT THE BLINKERS ON AND THE CARS BEHIND ME PASSED. THE PANEL LIGHTS AND RADIO WERE ON ALONG WITH THE BLINKERS. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND THEN TURNED IT ON AGAIN. IT WORKED WITHOUT A PROBLEM. I CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED HE HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED AND THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD CHECK. I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR TO VARIOUS HILL TOPS AND STOPPED. THE PROBLEM DID NOT REPEAT ITSELF. IS THIS CAR SAFE TO DRIVE? IS THERE A WAY TO EVALUATE THE TRANSMISSION?

NHTSA ODI 10717858

Apr 22, 2015Brakes

BRAKES RELEASE AND CAR ACCELERATES WHEN BRAKING OVER POTHOLES OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT AT LOW SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10712312

Apr 3, 2015Brakes

TOOK CAR IN FOR SERVICE AT 40,251. WAS TOLD BRAKE PADS ARE AT 1MM FOR BOTH REAR BRAKE PADS, AND THAT ROTORS WERE RUSTED. TOLD FOR SAFETY IT SHOULD BE REPLACED AT THIS TIME. THERE HAD BEEN NO INDICATION THAT BRAKES WERE FAULTY. NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO NOISE, NO CHANGE IN BRAKING SENSATION. PRIOR SERVICE AT 35,397 INDICATES BRAKES IN GOOD CONDITION WITH BOTH REAR PADS AT 7MM. ALSO, NO MENTION OF ROTOR RUST. SERVICE DONE AT 30,109 ALSO INDICATES BRAKES IN GOOD CONDITION WITH REAR PADS AT 7MM. MULTIPOINT INSPECTION PAPER FOR 40K SERVICE WAS NOT ATTACHED TO BILL. REQUESTED INSPECTION PAPER FOR 40,251 SERVICE, AND ALL OTHER INSPECTION PAPERS. CAR WAS BOUGHT AT WARREN OHIO TOYOTA, AND WAS ALWAYS TAKEN THERE FOR SERVICE. WAS TOLD NO INSPECTION PAPERS ARE KEPT LONGER THAN 6 MONTHS, AND THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CARS PREVIOUS INSPECTIONS RESULTS. THE MOST RECENT INSPECTION PAPER WAS MAILED TO ME. IT INDICATES THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE AT 0MM AND 1MM. A 0MM PAD. THERE WAS NOTHING THAT OCCURRED DURING DRIVING TO INDICATE THE PAD WAS DOWN TO METAL. I HAVE CONTACTED THE WARREN OHIO TOYOTA GENERAL MANAGER AND SERVICE MANAGER WITH MY CONCERNS OVER THIS RAPID DECLINE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM WITH NO WARNING IN LESS THAN 5,000 MILES OF DRIVING. MOST OF THE DRIVING I DO WEEKLY IS HIGHWAY MILES. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER OR SERVICE MANGER DESPITE REPEATED CALLS AND EMAILS. THIS RAPID DECLINE IN MY BRAKING SYSTEM WITH NO WARNING IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. EITHER MY 2012 PRIUS V HAS A FAULTY BRAKING SYSTEM, OR THE BRAKES WERE FINE AND TOYOTA OF WARREN OHIO LIED ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10703539

Feb 10, 2015Electrical system

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V053000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

NHTSA ODI 10682480

Feb 8, 2015Seat beltsEquipment Adaptive/mobilityBrakes

I OWN A 2012 PRIUS WITH THE TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE, INCLUDING RADAR ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. I BELIEVE THESE SAME RADAR SENSORS ARE ALSO USED TO DETECT IMMINENT COLLISIONS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, EVEN WHEN CRUISE CONTROL MODE IS NOT ENGAGED. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 5 IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES PER HOUR, AND WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, MY PRIUS WENT INTO "IMMINENT COLLISION MODE" DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING IN FRONT OF ME -- NO VEHICLES, NO DEBRIS, NO OBSTRUCTIONS. BEFORE SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES, MY SEAT BELT WAS "TIGHTENED" AND THE BRAKES WERE AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED AT FULL FORCE, EVEN WITHOUT MY FOOT TOUCHING THE BRAKE. THIS WAS INCREDIBLY JARRING AND DISTURBING, AND COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF THERE WAS A VEHICLE BEHIND ME. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO VEHICLE BEHIND ME AT THIS TIME. AFTER ABOUT TWO SECONDS OF FULL BRAKING, THE VEHICLE "DISENGAGED" COLLISION MODE AND ALLOWED ME PROCEED AND RETURN TO SPEED. I CALLED THE TOYOTA OF SEATTLE DEALERSHIP AND SPOKE TO THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THIS ISSUE, AND SUGGESTED THAT I BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICING. THEY CONFIRMED THERE WERE NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST AT LEAST $100 FOR A BASIC DIAGNOSTIC, AND IF SENSORS HAD TO BE REPLACED, IT COULD COST HUNDREDS OR EVEN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. BECAUSE I AM CURRENTLY UNEMPLOYED AND LOOKING FOR WORK, I DID NOT BRING MY VEHICLE INTO THE SERVICE CENTER. I FEEL THIS IS TOYOTA'S OBLIGATION TO FIX, AND SHOULDN'T REQUIRE ME SPENDING MONEY OUT OF POCKET. I WOULD LIKE SOME KIND OF RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA ON THIS ISSUE. I HAVE AVOIDED USING THE RADAR CRUISE CONTROL SINCE THIS MOMENT, BUT THE FACT THAT IT OCCURRED WHILE NOT IN THIS MODE MAKES ME FEEL THAT THE CAR COULD "TAKE CONTROL" AT ANY MOMENT AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *JS

NHTSA ODI 10682017

Feb 2, 2015Transmission & drivetrain

AFTER STARTING THE CAR, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. THE DASHBOARD WAS LIT BUT I COULD NOT GET THE CAR MOVING. AFTER FIDDLING AROUND FOR SOMETIME, IT FINALLY CLICKED AND I WAS ABLE TO GO INTO REVERSE. THE CAR FUNCTIONED FINE UNTIL LATER THAT DAY I MADE A DROP-OFF STOP AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE DASH BOARD WAS LIT BUT I COULD NOT GET THE CAR MOVING. I WAS STALLED ALMOST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY DID THE MOST EXTENSIVE COMPUTER GENERATED DIAGNOSIS ON THE CAR BUT COULD FIND NO INDICATORS OF THE PROBLEM. I REPORTED THIS TO TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS WHO SAID THEY'D INVESTIGATE BUT THERE IS NO INTERNAL SYSTEM FOR REPORTING BACK TO ME ON THEIR FINDINGS. I DID RESEARCH ON THE CONSUMER REPORTS WEBSITE AND SAW OTHERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR PROBLEMS. MY FEAR IS GETTING 'STUCK' IN UNWANTED TIMES AND UNDESIRED LOCATIONS. THE FACT THAT THE COMPANY DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM IS TROUBLING. I PLAN TO GET A NEW CAR RATHER THAN WORRY ABOUT THIS ONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10680574

Jan 25, 2015Brakes

I WAS DRIVING ON I-45 AT 55 OR 60 MPH AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. IT IS STILL THAT WAY, BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IS OK. TOYOTACARE PLAN IS EXPIRED. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THESE VEHICLES? THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI 10678779

Jan 13, 2015Transmission & drivetrainCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT ROLLED AWAY IN REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THE CONTACT'S LEG AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN LEG, A FRACTURED KNEE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ODI 10672051

Jan 7, 2015Lights

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. PASSENGER SIDE HAS BEEN REPLACED MANY TIMES. MOISTURE IS VISIBLE IN LIGHT ASSEMBLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10670634

Dec 31, 2014Seats1 injury

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WITH MY FACTORY INSTALLED SEAT WARMER ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT ON. I GOT OUT AT A GAS STATION TO GO TO THE BATHROOM. WHEN I SAT DOWN ON THE TOILET I FELT AN EXCRUCIATING PAIN ON MY LEFT UPPER BACK SIDE OF THE THIGH. THE CAR SEAT GAVE ME SECOND DEGREE BURNS ON THE BACK OF MY UPPER LEFT THIGH. I WENT TO THE ER THE NEXT MORNING WHEN MORE BLISTERS APPEARED SO THAT THE OPEN AND CLOSED BLISTERS COULD BE CLEANED AND DRESSED. I WAS GIVEN A TETANUS SHOT AS WELL. I CONTACTED TOYOTA THE DAY AFTER THE INCIDENT AFTER BEING SEEN BY THE ER. I SPOKE WITH A CLAIMS ADVISER ON DEC. 1, 2014 WHO ASKED ME TO EMAIL PICTURES OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND PICTURES OF MY BURNS. I WAS THEN CONTACTED DEC. 9, 2014 BY TOYOTA TO BE TOLD A TOYOTA INSPECTOR WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE ON DEC. 18, 2014. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND I HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN ANY INFORMATION TO DATE (12/31/14) NOR HAS MY VEHICLE BEEN FIXED. I AM AWAITING TOYOTA TO CONTACT ME ON THE OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME I COLD NOT HAVE THE SEAT WARMER FIXED UNTIL TOYOTA WENT THROUGH THEIR PROCESS OF DOCUMENTING THE INCIDENT DUE TO ME BEING INJURED. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10669290

Dec 9, 2014Transmission & drivetrainBrakes

I OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE BRAND NEW. IT HAD HAPPENED MORE THAN A DOZEN TIMES. WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR UNEVEN SURFACES, WITH THE SAME PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BREAK, THE 2012 PRIVUS FAILED TO STOP AND LURCHED SEVERAL FEET BEFORE STOPPING. WE HAD AN INCIDENT THAT WE ALMOST RAN INTO PEDESTRIAN YESTERDAY WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURS. THIS IS VERY CONCERNED TO MY FAMILY. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICAL BACK TO THE DEALER SHIP WHERE WE PURCHSED IT.(EXPRESSWAY DORCHESTER TOYOTA IN MASSCHUSETTES) THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCED AT THE DEALSHIP. THE SERVICE OF MANAGER CLAIMED THIS IS WORKING AS DESIGNED FROM THE (TRACKING CONTROL). I FEEL THIS IS A FALSE STATEMENT, THIS DOES NOT HAPPENED TO MY OTHER CARS THAT HAS TRACTION CONTROL. TOYOTA SHOULD REALLY STARTING FIXING IT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10663065

← NewerOlder →

Working with the data? Download all 612 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 23, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Toyota Prius V verdict →